Dedham Veterinary Associates masthead
Monthly Update
May 2012
Cute puppy Dedham Veterinary Associates

Congratulations to Shadow  and his owner for  winning a $100 gift certificate to Dedham Veterinary Associates! This image received the most votes for cutest picture in our Facebook photo contest. We loved seeing all the photos and want to thank everybody for participating. If you haven't already,  be sure to visit our
Facebook page to see all the entries!  

 

Also be sure to read this month's article about sun protection for your pets, just in time for the warm weather. As always, don't hesitate to call or email us with your questions and comments.

 

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Pets and Sun 

   

Did you know pets can get sunburns, too?

 

Just as in humans, repeated sun exposure can lead to severe dermatologic problems and skin cancer in pets. An animal's sunburn may appear as red skin or hair loss. Seek veterinary care if you notice any changes, such as redness or crusting, to skin that has had sun exposure, as these may be early signs of skin cancer or pre-cancerous lesions.

 

Which pets are most at risk?

Pets with thin, un-pigmented white or light-colored coats are at highest risk. Pets with a summer haircut or shave are also in danger of skin damage. Specific breeds predisposed to sunburns include white domestic shorthaired cats, white Boxers and Bull Terriers, Dalmatians, Beagles and German Shorthaired Pointers.

 

Which parts of the body are most susceptible to sun damage?

Many dogs are at risk for sunburn on the ears, top of the nose and sides of the muzzle. If your dog likes to lie on his back or side to sunbathe, sunblock should be applied to the belly and inner thighs.

 

For white or white eared-cats, sunblock is needed on the ear tips, even for a cat only sitting by a sunny window.

 

How should pets be protected?

Try to avoid prolonged sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when rays are strongest. If your pet will be outside, be sure to use sunblock. Choose a sunblock that is fragrance-free, safe for babies, at least SPF 15-30 and has both UVA and UVB filters. If you are picking a sunblock for your cat, be sure to avoid products containing octyl salicylate, which can be toxic to felines.

 

Sunblock should be massaged into exposed areas until absorbed, and re-applied if your pet goes in the water.

 

 

Quick Links
Ramble Recap   
We spent a fun-filled day at the James Joyce Ramble on April 29th in Dedham. We handed out water along the 10K road race course and gave away balloons and frisbees at our booth at the Endicott Estate. It was great to visit with everyone who stopped by and we were pleased to do our part to support the Claudia Adams-Barr Research Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It was a great time to benefit a great cause!
Dedham Veterinary Associates runners
Our 10K Runners

Dedham Veterinary Associates water table
Our water table on the race route

Dog with Dedham Veterinary Associates Frisbee
Our frisbees were a big hit!